NAZIR

“’Tell the people of Isra’el, “When either a man or a woman makes a special kind of vow, the vow of a nazir, consecrating himself to Adonai, he is to abstain from…”’”
Numbers 6:2-3a

If I was to ask who the most famous Bible character to take a Nazirite (nazir) vow was, you probably would be correct in saying Shimshon (Samson). We know from Judges 16:17 that with D’lilah continuingly pestering Shimshon concerning his strength, that he finally gave in to her nagging and confessed that, “No razor has ever touched my head, because I have been a nazir of God since I was born.” With this secret to his strength, she waited for him to slip off to sleep before giving him not only a haircut, but a strength cut.
In Numbers 6, we read of the details of this vow, and it is this that I want to focus on for a moment. A nazir was to abstain from wine and other intoxicating liquor, was to abstain from vinegar, was to abstain from grape juice, and was to abstain from eating grape and raisins. Nothing from a grapevine, be it skin, seed, or juice, could be ingested during the time of the vow. However, there were additional displays of consecration during this vow. The nazir was also unable to shave his head or have a haircut of any length. His hair was to grow long. He was also banned from coming in contact with a corpse, even if that meant attending a funeral for someone in his own family.
If by chance the one who took the nazir vow broke this vow by circumstances beyond their control, steps could be taken to make atonement. These steps included the cutting of the hair on day one, the shaving of the head on day seven, and the bringing of two doves or young pigeons on day eight for the sin offering and burnt offering that were to follow. Only after this was completed would atonement be made and the vow restarted. These steps allowed the taker to one again be considered consecrated before Adonai.
When the time of consecration was over, the vow maker was to stand at the entrance of the tent of meeting where he would present before Adonai his offering of a male lamb as a burnt offering, a female lamb as his sin offering, and a ram as his peace offering. Additionally he would offer a basket of matzah, unleavened wafers, a grain offering, and a drink offering. The head was to be shaved once more and placed on the fire.
It is important to note as we close this portion, that the latter part of Numbers 6 recites for us the priestly blessing. It is with these words I close today, as Aharon and his sons did over the people of Isra’el. “May Adonai bless you and keep you. May Adonai make his face shine on you and show you his favor. May Adonai lift up his face toward you and give you peace.”

Numbers 5:11 – 6:27